After Marlin was purchased by Remington and the Freedom Arms Corporation over a decade ago, it began a long, slow, steady decline in quality control that almost resulted in Marlin going out of business. Fortunately, Sturm-Rugerwas able to purchase not just the Marlin name and all its designs, but all of the physical equipment, machinery, raw materials and already manufactured parts as part and parcel of the deal.
The link below is from American Rifleman Magazine, and details how an Iconic American Firearms manufacturer was saved from oblivion.
https://www.americanrifleman.org/content/marlin-reborn-ruger-resurrects-a-legend/
2 comments:
I hope that they continue the more traditional look and style lever actions in future productions. I love the Marlin 1894 and 1895 with a straight, no pistol grip stock. If it's all modern look and zebra, laminate stocks they will lose the old style fans and the cowboy competition shooters to Henry and the retro knockoffs built in Italy and South America.
According to the Press releases they gave out, They are sticking with the old Marlin designs, and not looking to create a 'Frankenlever' like Mossberg did. Although I think the laminate stocks and fore-ends are here to stay.
The last 2 Levers I picked up were from Henry, and I am completely satisfied with them. Still, I'm glad to see the Marlins not wind up being bought by some bunch of nobodies who would just capitalize on the name while putting out a mediocre (or worse) product. The Winchester Levers are made in Japan these days, and frankly you wouldn't even know they were still in business these days.
St least Ruger is till making their products here in the US.
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